All About Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher Definition Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
Life As an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher: What Do They Do?
- Weigh materials, products, containers, or samples to verify packaging weights or ingredient quantities.
- Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
- Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.
- Mark items with details such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
- Position products, components, or parts for testing.
- Fabricate, install, position, or connect components, parts, finished products, or instruments for testing or operational purposes.
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Things an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers say are the most useful in their careers:
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher Jobs
- Hooker Inspector
- Color Checker
- Potato Grader
- Alloy Weigher
- Bowling Ball Grader
Job Demand for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
There were about 520,700 jobs for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher. There will be an estimated 52,700 positions for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher per year.

The states with the most job growth for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher are Nevada, North Dakota, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher Average Salary
The salary for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers ranges between about $23,550 and $65,510 a year.

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,960 |
Alaska | $71,510 |
Arizona | $40,680 |
Arkansas | $33,900 |
California | $45,120 |
Colorado | $46,880 |
Connecticut | $51,260 |
Delaware | $41,030 |
District of Columbia | $60,460 |
Florida | $40,250 |
Georgia | $37,880 |
Hawaii | $36,960 |
Idaho | $37,410 |
Illinois | $41,610 |
Indiana | $39,580 |
Iowa | $42,490 |
Kansas | $44,850 |
Kentucky | $39,510 |
Louisiana | $50,670 |
Maine | $46,140 |
Maryland | $48,650 |
Massachusetts | $46,510 |
Michigan | $36,550 |
Minnesota | $42,470 |
Mississippi | $35,850 |
Missouri | $42,860 |
Montana | $48,630 |
Nebraska | $41,820 |
Nevada | $39,850 |
New Hampshire | $44,020 |
New Jersey | $42,770 |
New Mexico | $54,690 |
New York | $42,580 |
North Carolina | $37,370 |
North Dakota | $52,620 |
Ohio | $41,510 |
Oklahoma | $45,060 |
Oregon | $43,540 |
Pennsylvania | $41,850 |
Rhode Island | $44,660 |
South Carolina | $39,110 |
South Dakota | $36,250 |
Tennessee | $37,380 |
Texas | $42,500 |
Utah | $39,450 |
Vermont | $45,840 |
Virginia | $41,500 |
Washington | $59,310 |
West Virginia | $45,630 |
Wisconsin | $40,750 |
Wyoming | $51,380 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- IBM Notes
- FileMaker Pro
- Extensible markup language XML
- R
- Minitab
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Medical condition coding software
Becoming an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher
What education is needed to be an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher?

What work experience do I need to become an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher?

Where do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Work?

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Gina Collecchia via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
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